Jagiroad, Morigaon (Assam), Jan 20, 2017: Amid the initial pangs of demonetization and cashless economy, people in central Assam’s Morigaon district on Friday witnessed the ancient mode of transactions — the barter system.

Over a hundred people took part in the seamless cashless transactions exchanging their goods with others at the annual “Jonbeel Mela” (meaning a fair organised near a moon-shaped wetland), which started at Jonbeel near Jagiroad on Thursday.

While the fair started on Thursday, the barter trade started on the second day of the fair, which is on Friday, and it would continue until Saturday.

The local inhabitants of the plains of Morigaon district participated in the fair with different items, like ‘Peetha’, ‘Laru’, ‘Sandoh’ (handmade sweet delicacies), while the people from neighbouring hill areas, including some from hills of Meghalaya and Karbi Anglong district of Assam came with home-grown vegetables, rice, dry meat, dry fish and other items to trade.

Besides the locals, hundreds of people also turned up in the Jonbeel Mela to become part of a rare event that takes place only once a year and has so far been able to uphold the ancient tradition of barter trade.

“I have bought Peetha and Laru and today (Friday) exchanged those with turmeric and ginger from another trader from the hills.

“There is no weighing system followed here. I show them the portion of my items to them and he in turn shows his portion for the trade. I agreed to take this and that was the deal,” said Basanti Das, a local of Morigaon, who participated in the trade.

“The basic purpose is to keep alive the rich heritage and tradition of the Jonbeel Mela. The barter trade is the symbol of unity of the people of the plains and hills. There is no hard and fast rule for the trade, as anyone can exchange any amount of goods of their requirement,” said Secretary of the fair organising committee, Jursing Bordoloi.

He said that the times are changing and it is difficult to continue with the barter system of trade.

“The barter trade done in the Mela is only symbolic. We also organise a modern-day trade fair here for the benefit of the locals, so that the historical event sustains,” he explained.

“I have been hearing about the barter trade in Jonbeel Mela for a long time. My kids have also been asking me about this. This time I have taken my family to see the barter trade and become part of a historical event,” said Raj Baruah, a local of Guwahati, who came to the Jonbeel Mela on Friday. (IANS)

On Mahalaya, people throng to the holy river Ganges in order to pay homage to their ancestors and forefathers; which is called ‘Torpon’

Mahalaya remains incomplete without the magical chanting of the scriptural verses from the ‘Chandi Kavya’ that is broadcasted in All India Radio

The magic is induced by the popular Birendra Krishna Bhadra whose voice makes the recitation of the “Chandi Kavya” even more magnificent

Sept 19, 2017: Autumn is the season of the year that sees the Hindus, all geared up to celebrate some of the biggest festivals of India. The festive spirit in the Bengalis all enthused to prepare for the greatest of the festivals, the ‘Durga Puja’.

About Mahalaya:

Mahalaya is the auspicious occasion that marks the beginning of “Devipaksha” and the ending of “Pitripaksha,” and this year it is celebrated on September 19.

Observed exactly a week before the ‘Durga Puja’, Mahalaya is the harbinger of the arrival of Goddess Durga. It is celebrated to invoke the goddess possessing supreme power! The goddess is invited to descend on earth and she is welcomed with devotional songs and holy chants of mantras. On this day, the eye is drawn in the idols of the Goddess by the artisans marking the initiation of “Devipaksha”. Mahalaya arrives and the countdown to the Durga Puja begins!

The day of Mahalaya bears supreme significance to the Bengalis. The day is immensely important because on this day people throng to the holy river Ganges in order to pay homage to their ancestors and forefathers. Clad in white dhotis, people offer prayers and take dips in the river while praying for their demised dear ones. The ritual is popular as “Torpon”.

An idol-maker in progress of drawing the eye in the idol of the Goddess. Wikipedia

As per Hindu myth, on “Devipaksha”, the Gods and the Goddesses began their preparations to celebrate “Mahamaya” or Goddess Durga, who was brought upon by the trinity- Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara; to annihilate the fierce demon king named Mahishasura. The captivating story of the Goddess defeating the demon got popularized with the goddess being revered as “Durgatinashini” or the one who banishes all the evils and miseries of the world. The victory of the Goddess is celebrated as ‘Durga Puja’.

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Mahalaya remains incomplete without the magical chanting of the scriptural verses from the ‘Chandi Kavya’ that is broadcasted at dawn in All India Radio in the form of a marvelous audio montage enthralling the souls of the Bengalis. Presented with wonderful devotional music, acoustic drama, and classical songs- the program is also translated to Hindi and played for the whole pan-Indian listeners.

The program is inseparable from Mahalaya and has been going on for over six decades till date. The magic is induced by the popular Birendra Krishna Bhadra whose voice makes the recitation of the “Chandi Kavya” even more magnificent! He has been a legend and the dawn of Mahalaya turns insipid without the reverberating and enchanting voice of the legendary man.

Mahalaya will keep spreading the magic and setting the vigor of the greatest festival of the Bengalis- the Durga Puja, to worship the supreme Goddess, eternally.